I acknowledge the challenges facing the emergency departments in our hospitals.
According to HSE, there was a 2.7% increase in ED attendances nationally this year up to the end of October 2019 compared to the same period last year. The number of attendances for patients in the over 75 age group also increased by 3.3% nationally.
My Department has engaged extensively with the HSE this year to identify mitigating actions to bring down trolley numbers and waiting times in the ED in the face of growing demand.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.